i20/20 Vision

An all-new i20.

I like hatchbacks - a lot. I like them to look good, I like them to act like scalded cats and I like them to make a nice noise. This is why I can’t remember the last time I had a really good time in an India hatchback. Some others have come along & raised my expectations, only to fail to match them in some regard or the other. I was thus hoping that the Elite i20 would move the game forward. It’s a really good car, looks absolutely smashing and has a whole lot going for it, which is what I’ll try & tell you about over the next pages.

To give you a little of the back story, as a manufacturer, it’s always a pleasant problem when one of your cars become so popular that demand can’t immediately be met. Back when the original i20 was launched, Hyundai faced just such a problem of plenty- it was even somewhat taken aback by the popularity of its premium hatchback. The i20 was a confident contender, and one with its own set of strengths, such interior space and features. With the new Elite i20, Hyundai is confident from the off that it has a surefire winner on its hands, and after a quick spin in one, I can understand why it is so bullish about this car. On to the important bits, then.

Does It Look Good?

The short answer is ‘Hell yes.’ The Elite i10 has taken Hyundai’s Fluidic design philosophy several steps ahead, to the extent that I will say it’s the best looking Hyundai on sale in this country. This is no family resemblance to the older car. This car has no such drawbacks- it positively bristles with good looks and sex appeal.

Compare to some other Hyundais, some of which are rather OTT, the Elite i20 shows a maturity and restraint in its exterior design. There’s a greater purpose to its lines, which flow in a smooth and unhurried manner, lending the car an air of sophistication. The wide, hexagonal grille sits low, integrating well with the sweptback headlamps, and the flat hood gives the car a greater presence.

In profile, the car looks even better, with the 16-inch alloy wheels standing out in particular (the base models get 14-inch steel wheels) and the blacked-out C-pillar lending it a sporty touch. This car looks its best from the rear three- quarters. Overall, it’s a fresh, attractive and young design- full marks.

What’s it like on the Inside?

Typically Hyundai is what; you’ll recognize a variety of switches, dials and other bits as having come from the Hyundai parts bin. The cabin is spacious and airy, with plenty of leg, head and elbow room at the front and back; the increased wheelbase has helped here (45mm more), even though the car’s overall length has been reduced by 10 mm. The mixture of beige with black accents looks quite good, and the overall level of quality is more than acceptable. 

As is to be expected, the top end variants of the i20 (from the sports trim onwards) are stuffed to the gills with features- rear A/C vents, steering-sensitive rear parking camera, a front armrest/ storage areas, a smart function (which disengages the accelerator in case it’s pressed at the same time as the brake pedal), a 2-DIN audio system with 1GB of onboard storage, a multi-function steering wheel, a cooled glovebox, a storage area for ticket just under the audio system and a whole bunch of other doodads.

What’s it like to drive?

I had a quick run in the diesel variant first, powered by Hyundai’s 1.4-litre, 88.7 bhp, 22.4 kgm U2 CRDi engine. The first thing I noticed was the impressive suppression of noise- from within and without, the NVH suppression is excellent, and there’s none of the diesel clatter in the cabin.

I found that third gear was sufficient for most city conditions (in Jodhpur anyway), and out on highway, it was an absolute breeze to cruise along at 120kph in sixth, with the engine completely unstrained.

Is it fun to throw around?

It’s a huge improvement over the older car, and its dynamic abilities felt much better during my short spin. This car felt less soft and springy, the steering wheel felt a little more communicative and grip levels from the 16-inch tyres were pretty good; the overall balance in the chassis has gone up appreciably.

I must mention that the diesel car feels much better planted– the additional weight up front definitely helps. The car’s ride quality is very good indeed, with only the biggest potholes producing thuds; at all other times, especially in the city, the car keeps you well–cushioned.

The last word?

The Elite i20 is very possibly the best large hatchback you can buy right now.  It’s a real looker, and continues to offer the sort of value that Hyundai has honed to near-perfection.

Words : Pablo Chaterji

Published by : Motoring World